NEW PYMOUTH.
The letter of William Te Ahoaho, addressed to the Superintendent of New Plymouth was published in that Province and circulated among the people. It is so creditable to the head and the heart of the writer, and the subject so important, that we cannot resist the temptation of republishing it in our own columns. New Plymouth, Nov, 26, 1853. The following letter from William te Ahoaho, addressed to the Superintendent, is published for general information. The Superindent declares, with regret, that the law prohibiting the supply of intoxicating liquors to Natives is fre quently violated in this Province. He takes occasion to direct the attention of the Inhabitants of the Province to the serious and even disastrous consequences which may attend a breach of the law in this particular, and he trusts that the appeal made by William te Ahoa* lio may not be disregarded. Charles Brown, Superintendent.
(Translation.) Waiwakaiho, November 2-i, 1853. To Charles Brown, This is my speech to you, our Superintendent, and to all Europeans. I have long been greatly pained by the evil works which I have
seen and I thought the Authorities knew of them, and would have put an end to the evil visits of the Natives to drink the thing that makes them mad. For my part lam unwilling to contemplate the result of this bad practice. I have heard that such is not the case in Aucklan i or Wellington at the present time. "I held my tongue, and spake nothing. I kept silence, even from good words, bnt it was pain and grief to me. My heart was hot within me, and while I was thus musing the fire kindled, and at the last I spake with my tongue." lam greatly displeased with my brother for his bad conduct in this matter. On his return (from town) he fired a house, in which were three men and one child, all of whom narrowly escaped from death. By and bye he will perhaps murder some one either on the high road, or at a Native or an European settlement. This bad practice is not alone confined to him—there are many Natives like him—but the fault is not with the Natives alone, the Europeans are to blame who disre gard theiutentions of the Governor. Let those who are in authority here be particular in en • tirely prohibiting the supply of this thing to the Natives—"We know this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy aud profane, for murderers of fathers and mothers, for manslayers, for whoremongers." This is all I have to say to you. If you think proper to transcribe this letter in your language, publish it, that all men may understand. From me, From William te AnoAno.
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Bibliographic details
Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume I, Issue 3, 1 March 1855, Page 22
Word Count
475NEW PYMOUTH. Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume I, Issue 3, 1 March 1855, Page 22
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